Edward Bruce

Edward Bruce (1280-14 October 1318) was High King of Ireland from 1315 to 1318, succeeding Brian O'Neill and preceding Hugh O'Neill. He was also Earl of Carrick in Scotland and the brother of King Robert Bruce.

Biography
Edward Bruce was one of five sons of Robert de Brus and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, and he was the younger brother of Robert Bruce. He fought alongside Robert during his struggle for the Scottish throne during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and he captured and destroyed English castles in southwestern Scotland and commanded a schiltron at the Battle of Bannockburn. In 1315, he used his descent from Aoife MacMurrough to claim the throne of Ireland, thereby opening a second front in the war with England and creating a Gaelic alliance against the English. He invaded Ireland with 6,000 troops, and he took the lordship of Ulster without opposition, as the Irish were tired of English rule. Bruce became the (disputed) High King of Ireland, but this was a hollow title, as much of Ireland remained under English control. He had a few successes against the English at first, but the campaign bogged down, and he was killed at the Battle of Faughart on 14 October 1328. His body was quartered across Ireland, and his head was sent to King Edward III of England.